The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) issued a call for entries for the 2006 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Awards, previously run by British Airways, promote and encourage best practice in Travel & Tourism all over the world.

There are four categories for entry, allowing for applications from tourism destinations, businesses and organizations. The categories are:

• Destination Award: for destinations of any size which show a commitment to responsible tourism development
• Conservation Award: for any tourism organization committed to the protection of natural and cultural heritage
• Investor in People Award: for any tourism organization which shows a commitment to human resource development and local community involvement
• Global Tourism Business Award: for a tourism business of at least 100 employees which demonstrates responsible tourism practices

The Awards are sponsored by several WTTC Members, including Avis, British Airways, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Opodo and Reed Travel Exhibitions. Media sponsors include BBC World, Newsweek, The Telegraph and eTurbo news.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC President said Travel & Tourism is one of the world`s largest contributors of wealth and prosperity, accounting for more than 220 million jobs worldwide. Furthermore, if developed and managed effectively, our industry can actually nurture cultural and natural environments across the planet.

Costas Christ, an international expert in sustainable tourism and Chairman of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Judging Panel, said, With on-site verification visits to all finalists, these awards are setting a new standard for identifying and honouring the leading examples of responsible tourism from across the globe. After the high level of entries of the 2005 Awards, we are very excited to see what 2006 has to bring.

The deadline for entries is 12 December, 2005 and, after a judging process involving some 20 tourism experts from around the world and on-site verification visits for finalists, the winners will be announced at a special ceremony during the 6th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in April 2006.

Benefits of winning include a free trip to the 6th Global Travel & Tourism Summit and considerable international media attention and promotion.

Previous Winners of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

The 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Award winners are:

• Destination Award: Jurassic Coast, United Kingdom
• Conservation Award: Damaraland Camp, Namibia
• Investor in People Award: Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico
• Global Tourism Business Award: Casuarina Beach Club, Barbados